US Air Force takes delivery of laser weapons
The palletised H4 is a 10-kilowatt laser weapon designed according to US military specifications. (Photo: Raytheon Technologies)
Raytheon Technologies have delivered the fourth combat-ready laser weapon to the USAF.
Preceding the deliveries, the company and the USAF Life Cycle Management Centre have conducted a series of successful tests on the air force's first-ever palletised high-energy laser weapon.
The live-fire exercises took place over four consecutive days at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
The H4 is a 10kWlaser weapon designed according to US military specifications, capable of being transported and installed in any location as needed.
Raytheon Technologies has now delivered four operational laser weapon systems to the USAF, with a total of eight supplied to the DoD.
The primary role of the laser weapon is to safeguard personnel and assets from short-range aerial threats.
Raytheon said the weapon system underwent rigorous testing as part of the USAF Test and Assessment plan.
This included multiple live-fire exercises, focusing on acquiring, targeting, tracking and neutralising drone targets in various attack scenarios, including short-range, swarm and long-range threats.
The palletised laser weapon system is compact enough to fit into the cargo bed of a pickup truck.
It consists of a high-energy laser weapon module, a long-range electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor that also serves as the beam director, thermal control, internal electrical power and targeting software.
More from Air Warfare
-
![The potential impact of US tariffs on the F-35A]()
The potential impact of US tariffs on the F-35A
The Trump administration’s proposed tariffs have raised questions on the desirability and feasibility of the F-35A for key US allies including Canada and Switzerland. With combined orders amounting to 126 units, both nations undertook reviews of their ongoing fighter programmes.
-
![AUSA 2025: US Army and Bell squeeze MV-75 programme]()
AUSA 2025: US Army and Bell squeeze MV-75 programme
The MV-75, previously V-280, was originally designed as an assault aircraft which would replace some of the Black Hawk helicopters and add speed as a tilt-rotor platform. It is now envisioned to add a greater multirole capability reminiscent of the Black Hawk fleet.
-
![Germany signs contract for 20 Tranche 5 Eurofighters]()
Germany signs contract for 20 Tranche 5 Eurofighters
The aircraft will be delivered between 2031 and 2034 and will be upgraded with the latest electronic warfare capabilities to the EK configuration.
-
![AUSA 2025: GA-ASI and Hanwha to produce Gray Eagle STOL in South Korea]()
AUSA 2025: GA-ASI and Hanwha to produce Gray Eagle STOL in South Korea
The Gray Eagle STOL will be made available to several international militaries, with initial customer delivery planned for 2028.
